Di Canio said: "I am forced to consider my future as I don't know how I can continue to work in this environment."

In a statement to the Swindon Advertiser,
Di Canio added: "With the club selling one of our best players behind my back and continually making promises that are broken, I feel at this moment that my job is not just impossible but is untenable.

"Too many questions remain unanswered. The future is clouded with uncertainty. At this moment my future remains unclear."

The club
issued a response
assuring fans that the board is working to secure the long-term future of the club.

Their statement said: "The board expects to complete the sale of the club next week and are confident the new owners share the same ambitions as Paolo and his team.

"The decisions made over the last few days have not been made lightly, and in the case of the decision to sell Matt Ritchie, have been done in conjunction with the new owners.

"While the board understands Paolo's desire to gain promotion and is wholly supportive of this, the board's considerations and responsibilities extend beyond the on-field activities.

The Swindon saga

6 October 2012
- Placed under Football League transfer embargo for breaking limits on wages and fees

15 October
- Jeremy Wray, who appointed Paolo Di Canio, is replaced as chairman by Sir William Patey

6 November
- Transfer embargo lifted

3 January 2013
- Patey tells BBC Wiltshire no money will be made available for signings

7 January
- Di Canio says he will offer up to £30,000 of his own money to keep players on loan

17 January
- It is revealed owner Andrew Black has put the club up for sale and was considering entering administration

25 January
- BBC Wiltshire reveal Patey will quit when the club is sold

30 January
- Swindon are sold to a local consortium, subject to Football League approval. Matt Ritchie is sold to Bournemouth for £500,000

31 January
- Di Canio attempts to sign three players but Football League refuse to clear the deals

1 February -
Di Canio releases a statement saying he is "considering his future"

"We are faced with difficult choices and, while we recognise the disappointment caused by the sale of Matt, the board has not shirked its duty to face up to the harsh realities of its financial situation."

Former West Ham striker Di Canio, 44, joined Swindon in May 2011, following their relegation to League Two, and has brought them great success.

He led them to promotion as champions last season, they reached the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final and now sit third in League One.

But their financial situation has come under scrutiny in recent weeks after it was revealed by BBC Wiltshire that owner
Andrew Black had put the club up for sale
because he was no longer willing to invest.

At this point, Swindon were considering entering administration in order to wipe out £9m of unsecured debt.

The club brought in advisors to restructure their finances - with total debts thought to be in the region of £13m - and a letter was sent to every club in the Football League stating that all Swindon players were for sale.

On Wednesday evening, Ritchie signed for Bournemouth for £500,000 - a deal which the club said was essential because of their financial situation.

The decision to sell last season's player of the year was made by the current and incoming owners and Di Canio revealed he knew nothing about Ritchie's departure until he was told by the player himself.

Di Canio said he had been given permission to sign three players on loan before Thursday's transfer deadline - Marlon Pack from Cheltenham, and Charlton duo Bradley Wright-Phillips and Danny Green.

All three agreed contracts at the County Ground and passed medicals, but the Football League would not approve the deals because the sale of the club had not been completed.

Di Canio added: "I have worked so hard for the club and made many sacrifices because I wanted to achieve something special.

"The players and my staff have been fantastic to me and the statistics prove my way of managing, playing football and working is successful.

"I shall remain professional and continue to achieve the best I can, but under these circumstances it is not easy."

BBC links

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.